In the early morning hours of March 30, 2025, 29-year-old Julius Rodriguez was shot and killed outside the Capri Hookah Lounge in Seattle’s Rainier Beach neighborhood. Rodriguez worked as an armed security guard at the lounge, was a father of two young sons, a former military member, and had recently completed K-9 training while pursuing a career in law enforcement. Surveillance footage shows a man approach and shoot another man, Ozzie Whitfield, then strike his head on a low beam while fleeing toward a waiting black sedan. Rodriguez pursued the shooter and was struck by at least five gunshots; he was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition and later died.

Police identified 25-year-old Leontai D. Berry as the suspect. Berry was arrested the same day after seeking treatment at Valley Medical Center for a gunshot wound to his leg and a forehead injury consistent with the video. He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder with firearm enhancements and one count of second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm; a judge set bail at $5 million and Berry pleaded not guilty. Rodriguez’s family described him as kind-hearted and dedicated to helping others and providing for his family.

Does anyone have information about that night or remember seeing the black sedan near the Capri Hookah Lounge?